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Showing posts from 2016

2016 best horror movies

While this year has been horrible, the horror movies that came out, have been a little decent if a little inept at providing adequate scares. The Conjuring 2 This was one of the most awaited movies of the year. The sequel of the hit and terrifying movie The Conjuring, this was supposed to surpass all our expectations and deliver a horror story that would give us sleepless nights. Instead, what we got was an almost laughable first half and a confused second half. Save for the one scene with the nun, the rest of the movie was insipid and didn’t flow as smoothly as its predecessor. The only thing I appreciated in the movie is the idea that not all demon hauntings are real. Sometimes, it is the people who are haunted by their own inner demons. People who come from tragic backgrounds, often find themselves a victim of a mental disorder and not a demon. The movie asked a very important question: Are hauntings real or just a figment of an imagination of

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil- my take on the movie (with spoilers!)

 I think sometimes the reason I like Horror so much is because the things that are scarier than monsters under the bed, or demons hiding in the shadows, is the conflict we feel within ourselves. Our feelings can hurt us; actually break our hearts and destroy our lives. The monsters under our bed, they’re probably not real. Even if they are, the harm they cause us won’t last as long as a broken heart does. One doesn’t really recover from a broken heart so readily. It can last days, months and sometimes even years. It’s a torture that we inflict on ourselves because we cannot control who we feel for and who matters to us. When those feelings are not reciprocated, the hurt is far worse than any physical injury. It’s about living with gloom, the persistent ache in the chest, the feeling of despair that nothing could come close to what you felt for that person. Heartbreak is the worst feeling in the world. The fear of falling for someone and ending up with such a suff

Tackling Writer's block

For days, I had this amazing idea to work on a story, but either something would impede my plans to write, or I would lack the inspiration to open up my laptop. I had a basic idea but no beginning and definitely no ending. All I had was a character, flawed and about to make the biggest mistake of her life. Of course, like in every story she would learn to forgive herself. How I will be able to cope with the obstacles I'll write for her, I'll have to see, but finally... Yes, finally I wrote the first chapter. There are two ways I can go with and I'll try to go down a path that is challenging but not complicated. Write what you know about, that is an advice I shall always heed. Now I'm off to imagine and re-imagine my story. So excited!! 

Mind of the Dark- A Prequel to Forest of the Dark (Coming Soon)

Working on the prequel to my horror novel 'Forest of the Dark'.  It's scary, twisted and I'm getting nervous writing some of the parts. The short story will be available to read soon... Once I get over my reservations about writing such a daunting story, that is. Just a few more chapters to go. 

The Life of a Writer

 So you want to become a writer? Congrats! You’re about to find out that things are not as simple as you thought. And just in case you think you’ve written a masterpiece, think again. At first, dedicating several hours to your work seems fun, satisfying, even invigorating. Writing becomes a delightful process, a catharsis for all your thoughts and words that were bursting to come out of you. There are characters that are waiting to be born, to give their speeches and change lives. There is a story to tell, but more importantly, one you kind of want to live. A world is creating in your mind, one you’re in complete control of. Seems so appealing, right? The whole writing process seems like such an important task that only you can spearhead. Everything depends on your nimble fingers, and your scurrying mind. Then when you write the very last word, punctuate it and sit back...there couldn’t be a greater feeling. You’re proud of yourself for spending days, mont

My First Book- Repeated Lives

Yesterday, I was asked about my writing and then asked what my first book was about. My first story was 'The Challenge'- a short story. Then it was Tina's Gimmick- a novella for middle graders. But my first published book was 'Repeated Lives'. I still remember trying to send it to publishers, getting rejected, getting some positive feedback that kept my hopes alive. Then I got accepted and I felt so exhilarated. But surprise, surprise! That publisher went under and my manuscript and rights were returned to me. I gave up hope on ever getting published. I still remember not wanting to give up on my dream and after allowing myself time to get over this setback, I emailed my submission to a few more publishers and got the very reply I was waiting for from Club Lighthouse Publishing. I was being offered a contract!!!! A lot of work went into getting it published. Editing, book art concept... Finally, a month or so later, my ebook was finally up. Mine. My har

The Unspoken (2015) -- What happened at the end?

PLOT SUMMARY: When Angela is hired to take care of a mute boy, she begins to suspect she is living in a haunted house until the truth about the boy is revealed.  Every horror movie ever made has in some way or the other challenged our beliefs, fears and our very existence. Do we truly live after we die? That's a question that is perpetually asked and the answer is controversial: we either don't or we turn into ghosts, fixated to a very particular place that holds meaning to us. That place is usually a house.  THE UNSPOKEN , is actually a very clever movie that incorporates elements of horror, thriller and crime into a very compelling tale. Though I must mention it does falter in the horror scenes where it uses the same old tired formula of startling background scores, creaking of furniture and doors opening and closing by themselves. These clichés almost put you off. Then the twist is revealed and suddenly you understand why these clichés were deliberately used. 

Ouija: Origin of Evil -- my take on the movie with spoilers!

PLOT SUMMARY: A con artist and her daughters unwittingly allow a demon to enter when she uses an ouija board. It’s no surprise that evil chooses and possesses young innocent girls in horror movies. They are, after all, thought to be pure of heart and their innocence is alluring to all evil. I would hold the opinion that pure heart would be tougher to infiltrate and those who have committed sins- big or small- would be the ones who could be manipulated by evil spirits. However, in movies, it is always the youngest girl in the family who becomes the target of demons. Perhaps it is because we viewers, easily sympathize with the sweet little girl who is yet to learn that the world outside isn’t harmless.

Happy Halloween!!!

Celebrate Halloween by reading my new short story 'Incandescence' for free!!! Link: Incandescence by Palvi Sharma Also, two of my horror novels are available on paperback. 1) The Ensnared 2) Forest of the Dark 

The Return

Finally! After two months, my new short story 'The Return' finally made it to the premium catalog on Smashwords. I've never had problems getting it published before, but this time I couldn't imagine what was wrong with the document that was stopping it from getting a tick of approval. Anyway, yesterday I formatted the whole thing and finally, finally, finally! It was approved for Premium! So relieved that my story will be available on other platforms. It's not exactly a horror story, rather a thriller and a window to inner conflicts within a person that can make them question what is moral and what is not. Check it out here: THE RETURN 

Imaginary conversations

The best conversations I've had so far, have been with myself. I can talk about everything and anything. I have the liberty to be assertive and argue, then be acquiescent. There are times when my ponderings take me to places I've never set foot on. Sunsets turn into nights and I'm still wandering and wondering. Lost in my thoughts, and sorting out all the tangles, I sometimes forget that I've also subconsciously observed my surroundings. Its such a complex process getting lost in thoughts and ideas. As for the colorful conversations, sometimes I wonder if writers have the minds of amad person. They are after all writing imaginary conversations of two or more characters, but they all come from the same mind. So are writers continuously and relentlessly, having imaginary conversations with themselves? One agrees, one disagrees, the other remains quiet, trying to decide which side to take. It's exactly how discussions happen in our minds when we have to make a decision

Don't Breathe- My take on the movie with spoilers

PLOT SUMMARY: A trio of robbers break into a blind man's home only to quickly discover that the owner is hiding a terrifying secret.  How complicated are human beings! There are so many layers, good between the bad. Greed intertwined with kindness. Bravery, when we thought we were cowards. Our own emotions and reactions can surprise us. In fiction, however, as an audience we expect characters to behave in a certain way, once their nature is established beforehand. The introduction of each character is portrayed in such a way that we immediately decide to either support the character or boo him whenever he's on-screen. So when a movie such as Don't Breathe comes along, it shakes up all archetypical notions we have about watching fiction.

Author's Note

I'm a writer and therefore, the itch to write is persistent. My fingers long to dance over the keyboard and form words that create meaningful sentences. My mind is frustrated when I have a story to write but my body aches from fatigue. So what should I have done in the past few months? Nothing. Sometimes, it feels just fine to sit and do nothing but observe the world around. Watching people go about their daily lives, seeing how troubled they are, what joy they procure from the simplest things- all these are just fodder for the imagination so that it can run and create. Then there are times, when it isn't the body that aches, but the mind that tires. There is so much going on, so many problems to deal with. There is that consuming anguish that overwhelms and defeats. Those times, giving up on your dreams is not even a question. It is something that though supports and nurtures the mind, can easily be given away. It is those trying times when

Forest of the Dark - Chapter Three

Chapter Three From the very beginning, Dhiraj was used to a strict regime set by his authoritarian parents. He was to wake up at five in the morning and made to take a lap around the whole garden ten times, after which his Father would make him do cardio exercises for half an hour followed by a healthy breakfast of fruits and milk. Only then, he would be sent off to school. In the weekends his parents would take him to a multi-sport club, where he would be exposed to various games. His parents were both tennis players and wished for their son to master any that would take him to the world championships. Dhiraj never knew if he ever wanted to be someone else. He tried tennis, hoping he would be a natural at it like his parents, but somehow his skills felt lacking. He tried football and basketball, but nothing drew his interest until one day he played badminton in school. He took an instant liking to it and when he told his parents they seemed a tad disappointed but also relieved

Free EBOOKS on Smashwords!

Read these two stories for free on Smashwords:  The Return: Going back is never that easy.  What Happened to Jasmine? Three murder mystery writers speculate about who killed their colleague, Jasmine.

Forest of the Dark- Chapter Two from my new horror novel!

Chapter Two As they left the city and headed to the highway, Preeti gazed out the window, staring at the night sky, lost in her thoughts of her failed relationship. It was only after a drop of rain hit the window that she snapped out of her reverie and realized that no one in the car had spoken a word. Aksh was driving and he had propped up one elbow against the window and clutching his forehead. For someone who had just achieved his dreams, Aksh appeared withdrawn and tense. Rudra was sitting beside him and he was glued to his phone. No doubt his girlfriend was texting him. Preeti felt a twinge of jealousy and dismissed it immediately. She had no right to be jealous of someone else’s relationship just because hers had failed. In fact, she dreaded revealing her breakup to Rudra who would be amused since she had rejected him in college. She felt Maya’s hand clutch hers and she looked at her friend. “Are you okay?” she asked in a low tone, intended only for her ears. Preeti

Forest of the Dark- Excerpt

Chapter One At eleven-thirty at night, everyone was either going home or to a late night party. The city was quiet and the streets were quickly emptying as the traffic lessened. The stall keepers were closing down and counting the earnings of the day before they too would return home. Sitting under a building on a wooden bench, Preeti watched an old man put a wad of notes in his shirt pocket and get on the bicycle. He would go home where his wife and children were probably waiting for him. That image added to her despair. Only a month had gone by since Abhi had broken up with her. He had been the love of her life, unfortunately, she hadn’t been his. They had been together for three years and he had professed his love for her every day, along with sweet promises of marriage. She had even found a ring in one of his drawers one day while cleaning out his room. When a week passed by and the proposal hadn’t come, Preeti had become restless and had asked him straight up if he intend